Method of and apparatus for producing gas.



3 BHBETS-SHEET 1.

I ig ly; fimmwemr Patented May 3,1910.

E. B. SLICK. METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING GAS APPLICATION FILED JULY 17, 1909.

WITNESSES E. B. SLICK. METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR. PRODUCING GAS APPLICATION FILED JULY 17, 1909.

Patemzed May 3 SHEETS-BHEET 2.

WITNESSES E. E. SLICK. METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING GAS.

APPLICATION PI LED JULY 17, 1909.

Patented May 3, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

V as a. $37, g WW! GIMJM METHOD OF AND AIPARATUB FOR PRODUCING GAB.

Specification of Letters ratent.

Patented May 3, 1910.

Application filed July 17, 1909. Serial No. 508,088.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN E. SLICK, of Pittsburg, in the count of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Method of and Apparatus for Producing Gus, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which-- Figure 1 is a vertical sectional elevation showing a gas producer constructed and ar ranged in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional plan of the same on the line IIII of 1:, Fig. 3 is a view similar to that shown in Fig. 1, showing a modified form of construction for the producer.

My invention relates to the manufacture of gas from coal or similar carbonaceous matonal.

'hen the coal or other fuel is being burned 'or, distilled in existing producers, openings or holes will form therein and air introduced within the producerwill pass through the passages, following the path of least resistance, and ,will form a lean gas and reduce the capacity of the producer.

One object of my invention is to provide improved means for handling the materials while being burned or distilled in the producer.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved mechanism by the use of which the formation of holes in the fuel bed is broken up and overcome and. the manufacture of lean or poor gas is prevented.

A further object of the invention is to provide means by which successive layers of the material forming the fuel bed are shifted transversely and the degree of movement of such materials is made uniform throughout the transverse area of the producer.

In the drawin s, "2 represents the top section and 3 the 'ottom section of a transversely divided gas )roducer, the producer being cylindrical as own and each of these Sections is provided with a lining 4, 5, formed of a suitable refractory material. The bottom section 3 is supported upon the pier or foundation 6 and the to section 2 is supported by brackets 'i" on beams S which are carried by the posts or columns 9.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 a transversely movable annular water cooled section forming a pushing ring 10 is located between the producer sections 2 and 3, being slidingly mounted on the top casting 11 forming part of the section 3 of the producer. The ring 10 is provided with a dependin annular flange 13 which extends downwar 1y into the unnular water space 14, in the casting 11 so as to form a water sealed joint between the casting l1 and ring 10. The bottom. casting 15 on the lower end of the top section 2 also is provided with an annular dc lending flange 16 which projects downwardly into the hollow water space 17 in the annular pusher ring 10 to form a water sealed joint between the top surface of the ring 10 and the bottom castin 15 on the top section 2 of the producer. Adjusting screws 18 are provided to adjust the top section 2 of the producer relative to the ring 10, and bottom section 3.

The annular pusher or ring 10 is provided at diametrically opposite points with lugs 19 which are connected to the crank ends 20 of the shafts .20 by which the ring 10 is actuated. The shafts 9.0 are rotatably mounted in bwrings 21, 2.2 and are driven through the bevel cars 23, 24: and shafts 25 by any suitable driving motor (not shown).

The lower end of the bottom section 3 of the producer terminates in a perforated annular casting 26 which extends downwardly and inwardly into proximity to a rotary bottom plate 2'7. The casting 26 is provided with a series of perforations or openings 28, which permit. the entrance of air to the bottom of the producer.

A hopper 36 is mounted upon the. top of the upper section 2 of the producer through which coal or other carbonaceous materials are introduced into the producer and prefcrably a rotary deflector 37 is provided to uniformly distribute successive charges over the bed of fuel in the producer. The top section '2 of the apparatus is provided with a gas outlet flue 38 through which the gases evolved in the producer are conducted to the main or to the place of use. The bottom section 3 of the producer is provided with a vertically extending blast pipe 39 having on its upper end a cap plate 40 which prevents coal or ashes entering the pi Je while permitling the passage of air into t 1c center of the fuel bod H above the level of the ash bed l2.

In the ulodificatiou shown by Fig. 3 the prmluccr is divided into a top section 2 and bottom section 3. The top section 2" is arran ed to be moved transversely relative to the owcr section 3 which is stationary and which is supported by means of columns 4-3 together with the shell 3' resting upon the foundation t3. It will be noted that the intermediate section forming pushing ring 10 is omitted in Fig. 3 and that the lower end of the movable to section 2" terminates in a hollow water 000 ed casting 44, having a depending annular flange which projects downwardly into the water seal formed in the hollow ens-tin" 11 which surrounds the top edge of the ower section 3" of the apparatus. The top section 2" of lIlllS con: struction is moved transversely by means of the cranks 20' on the upper ends of the shafts 20 which are in turn rotated in the same manner as the corresponding parts of Figs. 1 and 2. The means for introduelng fuel into the apparatus and for leading the gas therefrom are the some as in Figs. 1 and 2, a flexible connection being provided at a suitable point between the gas outlet on the movable upper section 2 and the stationary gas main.

In the operation of the apparatus, the lnirning fuel bed 11 rests upon the ash bed 42 which is supported on the bottom plate 27. Fresh fuel is introduced through the hopper 3G and is uniformly distributed over the burning fuel by means of the rotating deflector or distributor 37. The ashes fall from the bottom-plate 27 into the ash-pit 43, and are then removed through openings 44 provided in the bottom of the shell of the producer for that purpose. The annular ring 10 is being constantly moved by the actuating mechanism during the operation of the producer, and water is supplied to the water spaces 14 and 17 to cool these castings and maintain a water sealed joint which efi'ectively prevents escape of the gases.

As the column of burning fuel gradually descends in the producer each part of the column is brought into the zone or area in the chamber affected by the transverse movement of the movable ring 10 relative to the bottom section 3 of the producer or, in the construction shown by Fig. 3, the area affected by the transverse movement of the upper section relative to the lower section. his causes a transverse movement of a vertical column of the fuel relative to the fuel in the stationary lower section of the producer and moves such layers in a manner which shifts the portions of fuel 11 var lug amount across the width or diameter 0 the producer. This movement. is greatest at the margin or sides of the column, instead of being greatest at diametrically opposite sides and radually decreasing toward and being smallest at the vertical center of the pro ducer as is the case in existing constructions cm loying rotating poking arms.

i; will also be noted that the transverse movement of the ring 10 or of the movable top section '2" relative to the bottom section 3 or 25 is such that any point on the )8- riphery ot' the ring or section 2 doscri cs u circular path WlllLll causes any point on the periphery of the movable element to alternately move a maximum and a minimum amount. By this movement the formation of vertical passages in the column of burning fuel is prevented and is overcome, the fuel in the center of the fuel bed is shifted transversely, the fuel is burned evenly over the entire surface of the fuel bed and air is supplied uniformly to all parts of the producer.

Modifications in the construction and arrangement of the parts may be made without departing from my invention. The top section of the producer may be stationary and the bottom section transversely movable, or a transversely movable annular ring may be located at a suitable point in the producer, and other changes may be made.

I clain1:-

1. The method of producing gas, consisting in maintaining combustible portions of the charge within a gas producer, feeding fresh carbonaceous material thereto and withdrawing ashes therefrom in the usual manner, and pushing one layer or zone of the charge bodily in a lateral path and relative to another zone or layer of the charge, one layer or zone being supported upon the other, substantially as described.

2. The method of producing gas, consisting in maintaining a charge within a gas producer, feeding carbonaceous material thereto and withdrawing the ashes therefrom in the usual manner, and pushing an intermediate layer or zone of the charge bodily sidewise in a lateral path relatively to the portion above and below the same, substantially as described.

3. A gas producer having a pusher ar' ranged to act upon an intermediate zone of the fuel bed, and connections arranged to move the pusher transversely of the bed, substantially as described.

1. A gas producer having an intermediate transversely movable section, and connections arranged to actuate said section transversely of the charge, substantially as described.

A transversely divided gas producer, one section of the producer having connections arranged to move it transversely relatively to another section, substantially as described.

(1. A gas n'oducer having a transversely movable pus nu: device arranged to push one layer of the combustible portions of the charge relatively to an adjoining layer, substai'itiully as described.

7. A gas producer having a transversely movable pusher device arranged to push one layer of the combustible portions of the charge in an eccentric path relatively to an adjolning layer, substantially as descrlbed.

8. A gas prt'ulueer having a transversely movable pusher device arranged to push one layer of the eoml'iustible portions of the charge relatively to an adjoining layer, and means whereby the amount of movement. of the shifted layer increased gradually from one side to the other of the producer, substantially as described.

5). The method of producing gas, consisting in n'iaintaining a vertically movable charge of combustible carbonaceous materials within a gas producer, feeding fresh material thereinto, at the top thereof, and withdrawing ashes therefrom at the bottom thereof, and successively pushing a layer or zone of the combustible portions of the charge bodily sidewise relative to another zone or layer of the charge; substantially as described.

it). The method of produchig gas consisting in maintaining a charge of carbonaceous materials within a gas producer, teeding fresh material thereto and withdrawing ashes therefrom in the usual. manner, and positively moving one layer or zone of the ron'ibnstible portions of the charge bodily sidewise. and relative to another zone or layer of the charge from a point on its pe riphery toward the. vertical axis of the charge; substantially as described.

11. The method of producing gas, consisting in maintaining a charge of carbonaceous material within a gas producer, feeding fresh material thereto, and withdrawing ashes therefrom in the usual manner, and positively moving successive layers or zones of the combustible portions of the charge bodily sidewise and relative to another zone or layer thereof from a constantly changing point on its periphery toward the vertical center of the charge; substantially as described.

12-. The method of producing gas, consisting in maintaining a charge of carbona eeous material within a gas producer, continuously feeding fresh material thereto, withdrawing ashes therefrom, and positively moving one layer of the combustible portions of the charge in an eccentric path relative to an adjoining layer, one layer being supported upon the other; substantially as described.

13. X gas producer having a pusher arranged to act upon one layer or zone of a vertically descendiir. fuel bed therein, and connections arranger to more the pusher transversely of the bed and shift its vertical axis relative to that of the producer; substantially as described.

1-1. A gas producer having a pusher a1- runged to act upon one zone of the fuel bed, and connections arranged to move the pusher transversely of the bed and shift the axis olone zone relative to that of the other, lhc moved zone b ing shit'lwl across the entire width ol the fuel bed; substantially as drst'tllnul.

1a. gas producer having a transversely movable section and connections arranged to actuate said sci-lion transverrely ot' the rharge. and move one zone tln-rcot relative to anolhert'rom aeonstantly changing point on the periphery of the charge; subs-tan tiully as described.

16. The method of producing gas consisting in maintaining a charge of carbonaceous materials within a gas producer, feed ing fresh material thereto and withdrawing ashes therefrom in the usual manner, and positively moving one layer or zone of the combustible portions of the charge bodily sidewise, and relative to another zone or layer of the charge; substantially as clescribed.

17. The method of producing gas, consisting in maintaining a charge of earbonacemis material within a gas producer, feeding fresh material thereto, and withdrawing ashes therefrom in the usual manner, and positively moving successive layers or zones of the combustible portions of the charge bodily sidewise and relative to another zone or layer thereof, the layers or zones being supported one on the other; substantially as described.

18. A transversely divided gas producer, one section thereof having connections arranged to move it transversely relatively to another section, a water tron h on one sec tion having an overflow out et, and a de- Jending flange on another section extending cownwardly into the water trou h, below the level of the water overflow and forming a Water seal between the sections; substantially as described.

19. A gas producer having a hollow water cooled pusher arranged to act upon an intermediate zone of the fuel bed, connections arranged to move the pusher transversely of the bed, and means for supplying water to said hollow pusher; substantially as described.

20. A gas producer having a hollow water ('(mletl pusher arranged to act upon a point in the periphery of an intermediate zone of the fuel bed, connections arranged to move the pusher transversely of the bed and means for supplying water to said hollow pusher; substantially as described.

31. A gas producer having a hollow water cooled pusher arranged to ll t upon a constant'ly changing point. on the wriphery of an intermediate zone of the fuel bed, connections arranged to more the pusher transversely ol the bed. and means in! supplying water to said hollow pusher; substantially as described.

22. A gas producer having a transversely movable usher device iii-ran ed to push one layer of t. 0 charge bodily s1. ewise m an cecentric path relatively to an adjoining layer; substantially as described.

2% The method of producing gas consisting in maintaining a charge within 11 gas producer, feeding carbonaceous material thereto and withdrawin ashes therefrom in the usual manner, on positively moving one layer or zone of the charge 110 ily across the vertical axis of the charge; substantially as described.

24. A gas producer having a transversely movable pusher device arranged to shift one layer of the combustible portion of the charge sidewise relatively to an adjoining in or and having means whereby movement 0 the shifted layer increases from one side to the other of the |)l'0llll('!0l; sul'istuntinlly as described.

25. A gas producer having :1 transversely movable usher device arranged to move one hprizontn layer of the charge bodily relatively to an adjoining layer; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

EDWIN E. SLICK. Witnesses:

R. D. Ln'rm, H. M. Conwm. 

